Proof that integration can work Israeli Arabs. - Event Date: 19 January 2009

As Salaamu Alaikum Brothers and Sisters.This is just part of an article in The Muslim Observer Volume 11 Issue 3 1-16-22,2009.To illustrate further, after occupying the West Bank and Gaza in 1967,Israel could have annexed those territories into Israel by providing the Palestinians with Israeli citizenship.Israel did not do this and instead chose to treat the West Bank and Gaza as part of Israel without granting the Palestinians citizenship,equality or political participation.Legally,Palestinians were and continue to have the same status as American blacks in the 19th century.Israel did not integrate the Palestinians into Israel because Israelis were afraid that the Palestinians may one day out number the Jews and vote Israel out of existance. While this is a legitimate concern,Jews and Israelis who fear equality for Palestinians assume that granting the Palestinians equality would lead to the desruction of Israel. This is a false assumption.The world has produced many successful formulas for different people living together and sharing power and a formula can be found in this case. An example of a formula is the creation of a confederation of Israel/Palestine based on the principles of free trade and the free movement of labor and people. As to the national government, Israel and Palestine can each contribute 50% to the national parliament,a formula that would guarantee security, and eliminate political dilution from demographic changes and make certain that extremist become marginalized. The above formula is an example that gives Palestinians Israelis most of what they want while allowing both people to be indepedent and secure.More-over, with this solution,Jerusalem becomes a non-issue and borders become less relevant. As proof that integration can work,consider that Israel has one million Palestinians with Israeli citizenship who are often referred to as "Israeli Arabs."It is important to note that they are not participating in violence.This is because Palestinians who are citizens of Israel have civil and political rights while the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza have nothing.Without doubt most readers of this article will think that the author is naive,idealistic,st**id,Zionists or trying to destroy Israel.We understand your beliefs.However,please ask yourself if Israel destroys Hamas or Islamic Jihad will ther be peace between Israel and Palestinians?Consider that Hamas was created in 1987.Before Hamas was created,Israel fought five major wars and numberous other battles. More-over,before Hamas there were the PLO,Fatah,PFLP,PFLP-GC,May Organization,Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades,Al-'Asifah,Arab Liberation of Palestine-Special Command,Popular Resistance Committees,Popular Revolutionary Front for Liberation of Palestine,Black September, Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine,Doghmush,Omar Ben al-Khatib Warriors,Palestinian Liberation Army,Palestinian Popular Struggle Front,Palestinian Fedayeen,Swords of Truth,Rejectionist Front,among other organizations. Today most of the above organizations have been destoyed or just vanished. However, the conflict has not ended as the above organizations have been replaced by Hamas,Islamic Jihad,Holy Jihad Brigades,Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades,Army of Islam,As-Sa'iqa,Tanzim,Al-Quds Brigades,among others.The point here is that even if Israel destroys Hamas,the cnflict between Israelis and Palestinians would not be solved and it would only be a matter of time before a new group is forms to replace Hamas.Israelis and Palestinians must realize that what they have done for the last 70 years will never bring peace to either Palestine or Israel under the best of circumstances.Under the worst of circumstances this conflict may lead an all out nuclear war where millions will die and this is no longer an exaggeration.To summarize,Israel and its neighbors have fought numerous wars and no side has given up on fundamental claims.For 20years,both sides have tried to separate by creating two separate countries but this approach has failed because all sides have attachments to Israel and Palestine.The only solution that has a record of success is integration as demonstated by the Palestinians who are citizens of Isreal.If peace is not found then the day may soon come when the governments of the Middle East maybe overthrown by people who want to directly intervene on behalf of Palestinians.If an uprising erupts throughout the Middle East then nuclear war may soon follw. Therefore,the choices are between total annihilation or equality for Palestinians and security for Israel.There are no other choices.                  I agree with part of the above because something has to be done and we all ask why aint other Muslim Countries doing anything?We all know why, you see what has become of Palestine and maybe it is to preserve the lives of others Muslims.And maybe they are scared and they love the life of this world. No Back Bite intendedOr maybe they think it should be a matter dealt with by those who cant do much about it like the Palestinians.This has to end.

Hunter wrote: Assalam alaikum� Hello brother Akhe. I think this could be a fair and equitable solution, but I wonder whether Israel would even consider it. Present day Israel seems hell-bent on acquiring all of what they consider to be their legitimate "Holy Lands", mowing over anyone who gets in their way. Also, I'd wonder if the Palestinian people would be treated the same as their Jewish counter parts. I'd be interested to learn how Muslims are currently treated in Israel. It would solve many probelms though, as the article points out. I'll be curious to see other people's reactions to this. Respectfully-- Hunter

Wa Alaikum as Salam Brother Hunter.Jazakallah Kheiran for your reply.Right the Palestinians are being treated like my African Ancesters and My Native American Ancesters.Im not trying to have a passive view of this situation, but as we all know it gets bad before it gets good and its been bad for to many years now.You are right it is onesided and the ones with the most power will take control but inlight of everything the Palestinians are owed reparations just the same.

Hunter wrote: Assalam alaikum� Hi brother Akhe. If something could happen to change the balance of political, economic and military power, it could at least be a case of mutual deterrence, or a stalemate as in the case of India and Pakistan, or the Russians and the US during the cold war. You're right-- the country with the most power generally wins, but not always. The Isralies may have more military power and the unquestioning support of the US. What they lack frankly, is ethical and moral superiority, and that could cost them dearly. Just last night, I read an article on my MSN homepage, suggesting that the moral outrage people have been expressing world-wide, and the backlash from that will cost the Isralies more than they could ever have hoped to gain by attacking Gaza. The moral outrage apparently isn't limited to just Muslims or Muslim countries either. People are protesting this world wide. Right now, two of the most powerful weapons available to the Palestinians are cameras and words-- tell the world and show the world what just happened, and don't let anyone forget it. Take care my friend-- Hunter�

Wa Alaikum As Salaam Brother Hunter.It's just me and you again I see.Unfortunately I am guity of having a bias opinion.As you know we Muslims fear Allah and the day of reckoning.Revenge is best to be left in Allahs Hands.This country should adhere to that.What they are doing in Afghanistan is a prime example,The whole thing sends a bad message to the people.If we took the same type of action against someone we would be up under the prison.

Come on Chrysalis, I know you're reading this-- you can jump in here anytime...